Device for the automatic fastening of supply yarn tubes of various diameters and for their changing in textile machines

ABSTRACT

A device for the automatic fastening of yarn supply tubes of various diameters and their changing in textile machines, particularly in automatic high-speed winding machines; the device permits the fastening of tubes of various diameters, and the simple refilling of the supply of separate winding units either manually or from a central magazine. Tube-fastening mandrels, which are mounted symmetrically on a rotatable disc above a cam, are made such that a body with a cone at its free end is mounted for axial traverse. Said body has a fastening mechanism mounted in its upper part for centering and fastening the supply tubes, said mechanism being controlled by a pin mounted axially traversably in a sleeve and provided with a cam follower at its end, said follower being resiliently pressed against the cam and cooperating with both the sleeve and the fastening means.

lUnited States Patent References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Inventors Premysl Kostelecky Liberec;

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PATENTEDNnv 2 |971 SHEET 5 UF 7 ATTO R N EY DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC FASTENING OF SUPPLY YARN TUBES F VARIOUS DIAMETERS AND FOR THEIR CHANGING IN TEXTILE MACHINES changing cops in winding machines. In one such device the l0 winding units and the yarn supply therefor are moved, there being an appurtenant stop limit which is engaged by the rotatable fastening mandrel when the cop is empty, whereby the rotatable fastening mandrel when the cop is empty, whereby the empty cop is tipped through a necessary angle whereby it is removed from the mandrel. The fastening mandrel is then returned into its working position by appropriate mechanism in the winding machine, and a new, full cop is then put on the mandrel for rewinding by the machine. The abovedescribed devices are very complicated in their design as well as in their manufacture, and are difficult to maintain in satisfactory working condition. Further, they provide a supply of only one cop for one winding unit.

In another hitherto known device, the cops are mounted in a rotatable system of at least three mutually stationary magazines and fastened by fastening sleeves which are mounted swingably below the magazines. Upon changing an empty cop, the magazine support is turned through the necessary angle so that the magazine with a full cop is transferred into the working position and the empty cop is released from the magazine leaving the working position by removing the cop from the mandrel and turning it so that it can be covered in the space below the magazine. During the next rotational step of the magazine support the fastening mandrel is returned below the magazine, which is ten refilled by a new cop and is thereupon prepared for being transferred into the working position. Such device has a serious disadvantage since it is able to receive and fasten only one diameter size of tubes. When using tubes with other dimensions, it is necessary to change the fastening sleeves and the magazines.

The device according to the present invention is simple and reliable in its construction and function, permits the fastening of tubes of various diameters, and permits the simple refilling of the supply of the separate winding units whether manually or form a central magazine. The fastening mandrels, which are mounted symmetrically on a rotatable disc about a cam, are made such that a body with a cone at its free end is mounted for axial traverse. Said body has a fastening mechanism mounted in its upper part for centering and fastening the supply tubes, that mechanism being controlled by pin mounted axially traversably in a sleeve and provided with a cam follower at itsend, said follower being resiliently pressed against the cam and cooperating with both the sleeve and the fastening means. In a first-disclosed embodiment of the device the sleeve has a fastening mechanism mounted swingably in its upper part for centering and fastening the supply tubes. In other disclosed embodiments, the fastening mechanism includes expansible and/or inflatable means insertable into the tube so as selectively to grip it, said expansible means being under the control of a cam and cam follower.

Embodiments via example of the present invention are diagrammatically shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a view in side elevation of a first embodiment of the device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in plan ofthe device shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a view in horizontal section through the mechanism of the device for turning and exchanging the supply cop;

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical axial section through the fastening mandrel in its preparatory, unloaded position;

FIG. 5 is a view ofthe fastening mechanism similar to that in FIG, 4 with a fastening mechanism similar to that in FIG. 4 but with a fastening mechanism engaging the lower end nfa supply tube;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but with the fastening mandrel shown mounting a supply tube having an inner diameter which is substantially less than that of the tube in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view in vertical axial section of the fastening mandrel at the position of rotation thereof on its indexable support at which the empty supply tube is removed therefrom;

FIG. 8 is a view in vertical axial section through a first modification of the fastening mandrel of the invention, such mandrel being provided with a fastening element of elastic material;

FIG. 9 is a view in vertical axial section of the fastening mandrel of FIG. 8, such mandrel being shown drivingly engaging the yarn supply tube;

FIG. l0 is a view in vertical axial section through a second modification of the fastening mandrel in accordance with the invention, said mandrel being provided with a fastening element which is selectively expanded by a fluid pressure agent;

FIG. 11 is a view in vertical axial section through the mandrel of FIG. l0, but with the mandrel operatively mounting a yarn supply tube;

FIG. l2 is a view in vertical axial section through a third modification of the fastening mandrel in accordance with the invention, said mandrel being provided with a plurality of axially extended tube-engaging jaws; and

FIG. 13 is a view in vertical axial section through the fastening mandrel of FIG. 12 but with such mandrel engaging the inner surface of a yarn supply tube mounted thereon.

As will be apparent from the above, four embodiments of the fastening mandrel in accordance with the invention are shown and described herein. The first such embodiment is that shown in FIGS. I to 7, inclusive; FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a second embodiment of the mandrel; FIGS. l0 and I l illustrate a third embodiment of the mandrel and FIGS. I2 and I3 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the mandrel. Elements in the drawings showing the various embodiments of the device of the invention are designated by the same reference characters. Turning first to the embodiment of FIGS. l to 7, inclusive, it will be seen that the device for automatically fastening and changing supply tubes of various diameters is mounted on the frame I ofa winding machine which is not otherwise shown` A mandrel-supporting disc 3, mounted upon a driven rotatable shaft 2, is disposed above the frame l as shown in FIG. l. Three equally angularly spaced fastening mandrels 4 are disposed upon and fastened to the disc 3 as shown in FIG. 2. Mandrels 4 are sequentially rotatable or indexable into stations A, B and C, indicated in both FIGS. l and 2. Station A is the working or unwinding station, station B is a first preparatory station wherein the mandrel 4 is ready to receive a full cop` and station C is a second preparatory station wherein a full cop, and station C is a second preparatory station wherein a full cop is mounted upon the respective mandrel 4 in readiness for being advanced into the working station A. Mounted below the machine frame l and coaxially of a shaft 2 is a cylindrical or end cam 5 which is mounted stationary with respect to the support 3 and which controls the functioning of the various mandrels 4 as such mandrels rotate with the support 3 through the various stations A, B and C,

The mechanism for indexing the support 3 is shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 3. Such indexing or driving mechanism includes a pressure cylinder 6 provided with an inlet port 7 through which pressure fluid is supplied to the cylinder space and from which such fluid is exhausted in the return stroke of the piston, The pressure cylinder 6, which is fastened to the machine frame l` is provided with a piston 8 having a toothed or rack gear piston rod 9.` The other free end of the piston rod 9 is received within the closed sleeve 1I which functions as an abutment for a coil compression spring I0 which constantly urges the piston 8 and the piston rod 9 in a direction toward the right in FIG. 3. The teeth or rack gear on piston rod 9 mesh with gear I2 which is mounted for free rotation upon the shaft 2. The length of the stroke of piston 8 and the diameter of the gear 12 are so chosen that when the piston makes one operative stroke to the left, the gear l2 rotates through 120. Fixably connected to the shaft 2 above the gear 12 is a ratchet wheel 14 having three equally angularly spaced teeth thereon. The gear l2 has a pawl I3 pivotally mounted thereon, the pawl being constantly resiliently urged into cooperation with the teeth on the ratchet wheel 14, as shown in FIG. 3. It will be apparent that upon the travel of the piston and piston rod from left to right in an inoperative stroke the pawl 13 rides up over the next successive tooth on the ratchet wheel so that it falls into engagement with the shoulder on such tooth when the piston reaches the end of such inoperative stroke. The pawl, stably held in such position by the spring 15, then thrusts the ratchet wheel 14 through 120 upon the next operative stroke of the piston and piston rod.

In order to prevent any undesired turning of the support disc 3, there is provided a spring-loaded pawl 16 which is mounted upon the machine frame l as shown in FIG. 2. The radially inner end of pawl 16 successively engages the three recesses shown in the edge of the disc 3, such recesses being equally angularly spaced. In the first portion of the operative stroke of the piston and piston rod, the end of the pawl 16 rides up out of the cooperating recess and rides upon the smooth edge of the disc 3 until it falls into the next recess in the edge thereof.

The construction of the fastening mandrel 4 and its manner of operation will be more completely understood upon consideration of FIGS. 4 to 7, inclusive. A generally cylindrical hollow body is mounted upon the supporting disc 3 through a hole therein, a flange on body 22 overlying the disc. Reciprocably mounted within the body 22 is a second, inner body 19 the lower end of which is of larger diameter and accurately slidingly fits the inner surface of body 22, the upper portion of which is of smaller diameter and reciprocates in a central opening through the frustoconical portion 24 of the body 22. The lower end of the body 19 is provided with a radially outwardly directed flange which serves to provide a lower annular spring seat for a coil compression spring 23 to interpose between it an upper spring seat in the form of an annular shoulder on the outer surface of the body 22. The body 19 is provided with an annular cover 2l affixed to the flange on its lower end, the cover 22 having a central hole therethrough guidingly receiving a vertical pin 18 which rotatably mounts a cam follower roll 17 on its lower end. The pin 18 has an enlarged head at its upper end, such head being slidingly disposed within the bore at the lower end of the body 19. The coil compression spring 20 is interposed between the upper annular edge surface of the head of pin 18 and and an annular inner shoulder thereabove intermediate the length of the body I9. The spring 20 is of substantially greater compression strength than the previously described spring 23. lt is to be understood that the pin 18, sleeve 19 and body 22 are secured from rotation about their axes with respect to each other as by interfitting lands and grooves (not shown) between the respective parts. It is also to be understood that the axial motions between such parts are limited by the provision of appropriate stop means, also not shown.

The supply tubes, shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, where they are designated 26, contain wound yarn 26a thereon when the mandrel and tube are positioned at station C and also when they are positioned in station A until the exhaustion of the yarn from the tube. When the supply tube is mounted upon the mandrel as shown in FIG. 5, the lower end ofthe tube 26 is centered by its engagement with the frustoconical surface 24 on the mandrel, and the tube as gripped and forcibly held by two or more equally angularly spaced jaws 27 which engage the inner surface of the tube, In the embodiment shown there are three equally angularly spaced jaws 27, such jaws being the upper free ends of levers which are pivoted at their lower end upon respective pivot pins 28 which span the walls of axially extending grooves in the upper end portion of the body 19. The jaws are constantly urged into their retracted positions, shown in FIG. 4, wherein they lie wholly within the upper end of the body 19 by an annular coil tension spring 29 which is received in grooves intermediate the length of the levers-bearing jaws 27 and in an aligned groove in the sidewall of the upper end of the body 19. When the jaws 27 are retracted into the upper end of the body 19, a tube 26 are selectively advanced into tube-gripping position by the following mechanism.

A sleeve 30b is slidingly mounted within the bore in body 19. The sleeve 30b carries within it the enlarged head 30a of a jaw-operating rod 30, the head 30a being prevented from escape from the sleeve 30b by a nut 33 through which the rod extends. The lower end of the sleeve 30b is pressed inwardly and shown at 30C, such end 30C functioning as a spring seat for a coil compression spring 32 which is interposed between it and the lower surface of the head 30a of rod 30. Spring 32 constantly urges the rod 30 toward the upper position thereof relative to the sleeve 30a as shown in FIG. 4. The upper end of the rod 30 is rounded as shown and selectively cooperates with ramplike cam surface 31 on the inner edge of the levers carrying the jaws 27. When the rod 30 lies in the position of FIG. 4, its rounded upper end lies spaced downwardly from the cam surfaces 31. When the rod 30 has been advanced upwardly relative to the body 19, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rounded upper end of the rod 30 engages the cams surfaces 3l and presses the jaws 27 outwardly into firm gripping engagement with the inner surface ofa tube 26, whether the tube is of larger diameter (FIG. 5) or of smaller diameter (FIG. 6). As is readily apparent in FIG. 6, it is the yielding of a spring 32 which permits the rod rod 30 to travel downwardly with respect to the sleeve 30h, thereby to permit the mandrel to accommodate tubes of smaller diameter.

The shape ofthe end of cam 5 and its relationship to the stations A, B and C of the device will be apparent upon examination of FIGS. l and 4 to 7, inclusive. Such cam surface has a flat, horizontal portion 5a which extends from a point after an empty mandrel 4 has left station B until a mandrel 4 has left the working station A. The cam then has a stably declining portion 5b, a bottom portion 5c, an upwardly inclined ramp 5d, a short horizontal portion 5e and a second incline Sfwhich joins surfaces 5e and 5a. The respective portions of the cam are shown in FIGS. 4, 5,6 and 7 so that the operation of such portions of the cam may be readily appreciated. The device is also provide with a stationary cop-removing finger 45 which is so positioned as to tip an empty cop 26 offa mandrel 4 when the disc 3 has rotated such mandrel to a position wherein its cam follower 17 substantially lies at the lowest point 5c of the cam 5.

The above-described device functions as follows:

After yarn has been completely unwound from a tube 26 which is in the position A, pressure fluid is introduced to the cylinder 6 by means ofa conventional control and distributing mechanism (not shown). The pressure fluid in the cylinder begins to shift the piston 8 toward its left-hand terminal position, such movement of the piston being transmitted by the toothed piston rod 9 to the gear I2. Rotation of the gear l2 is transmitted by means of the ratchet wheel 14 and the pawl 13 to the shaft 2 which thus turns the mandrel-supporting disc 3 through an angle of A new mandrel 4 with a fresh supply tube 26 thereon is thus advanced from the position C into the working position A, the other mandrels on the disc 3 being correspondingly angularly advanced. A disc 3 is accurately held in its now advanced position by pawl 16 which is pressed resiliently into the corresponding recess in the edge ofthe disc 3. The piston 8 is then returned to its initial position by the control device which allows the escape of fluid from the righthand end of the cylinder under the action of the return spring 1l. During such action, the toothed wheel l2 is turned back and the pawl mounted thereon finally engages another tooth of the ratchet wheel 14. The device is thus returned to its initial position, ready for the next tube-advancing operation.

During such rotation of the supporting disc 3 through l20 the following actions take place in the fastening mandrels 4.

such actions depending, of course, upon the portion of the cam 5 which is traversed by a particular mandrel during such 120 travel. In the section of cam 5 extending from station A to station B, that is, cam sections 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e, the empty tube 26 is removed from the fastening mandrel 4 and the said mandrel is returned into its preparatory position. Downstream of station A, as we have seen the face Sb of cam 5 sinks steeply. The cam follower 17 is pressed against cam 5 by spring at the beginning, upon following the cam surface in the direction Sm, and thus the pin 18 and the rod 30 entrained therewith are projected from the sleeve 19 as long as the pin 18 bears against the end stop member 21. Upon the shifting of the pin I8 and the rod 30, the jaws 27 are released, such jaws then being returned by the action of spring 29 into the grooves of the sleeve 19, thereby releasing the supply tube 26. Upon further movement of the cam follower 17 down the ramp portion 5b of cam 5, the cam follower is pressed against the cam by the spring 23 as shown in FIG. 7. The upper end of the sleeve or body 19 is thereby retracted from the supply tube 26, so that the supply tube may be tipped an removed from the mandrel by the finger 45. It will be seen that in the position of the parts shown in FIG. 7 the sleeve 30h engages the head of the pin I8, the end a of the rod 30 is in engagement with the nut 33, and the upper rounded end of the rod 30 has been pulled downwardly below the cam surfaces 3l` on the levers bearing the jaws 27. Upon further movement of the disc 3 in the direction S, the cam follower 17 rises along surface 5d of cam 5, whereupon the sleeve 19, the pin 18, and the rod 30 are transferred into the preparatory position shown in FIG. 4 in which the upper part of the sleeve 19 with the fastening jaws I7 is projected from the body 22. After reaching such position, which is that which the mandrel occupies in the station B, the supply tube 26 is placed upon the mandrel either manually or by means of an automatic feeding mechanism (not shown) The fastening ofthe supply tube 26 is performed during the transfer of the fastening mandrel 4 in its travel from station B to station C; such fastening operation is shown in FIG. 5, in which the tube 26 is of large diameter, and in FIG. 6, in which the tube 26 is of small diameter. Upon movement of the disc 3 and mandrel 4 in the direction of S, the cam follower 17 rises from the cam 5e, upwardly along the ramp 5f, and onto the horizontal cam surface 5a. The pin 18 is pressed upwardly into the sleeve 19 the lower end of the sleeve 30b is engaged by head 18a of the'pin 18, and the coil compressor spring 32 thrusts the head 30a of the rod 30 upwardly into contact with the nut 33. The rod 30 is accordingly thrust upwardly into operative engagement with the cam surfaces 31 on the levers carrying the gripping jaws 27, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Upon such opening ofthe jaws 27, the supply tube 26 is firmly fastened an is also centered, since a place of contact of the fastening mandrel 4 and tube. If a tube 26 of smaller diameter than that shown in FIG. 5 is employed, such as that shown in FIG. 6, the pin 18 is pressed upwardly into the sleeve 19 in the same manner as tin FIG. 5. The mandrel or rod 30, however, moves together with the pin 18 only so long as the jaws 27 are not swung out to such an extent that the tube 26 is fastened and centered by the jaws 27. The walls of the tube 26 are of such strength so as to prevent the jaws 27 from further upward movement once they are engaged thereby, and thus also prevents the the rod 30 from further upward movement under such conditions. The upward movement of the rod 30 accordingly stops, continued movement of the pin 18 being possible, however, by compression of the spring 32 which, as we have seen thrusts the rod 30 upwardly.

ln the second disclosed embodiment ofthe apparatus shown in FIGS` 8 and 9, the jaws 27 have been replaced by an elastic member 34. Member 34 in the embodiment shown is a basket spring made ofa rubber tube, member 34 being mounted on a guiding pin 35 which is firmly connected with the sleeve I9.

The elastic member 34 is secured against being removed f from the guiding pin 35 by a conical cover 36. The lower part responding continuous openings in sleeve 19. The remaining parts of the fastening mandrel 4 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are the same as those in the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. l to 7, inclusive.

The device of FIGS. 8 and 9 operates as follows:

When a mandrel 4 is at a position B, a supply tube 26 is mounted upon it. Upon the changing of the supply tube 26, disc 3 begins to turn and the cam follower l7 begins to move along the surface of the cam 5, and advancing thereover in the direction S. The cam follower 17 rises along the cam surface Sfas the mandrel 4 moves from station B to station C, whereupon the pin 18 is pressed upwardly into the sleeve 19. Thereupon the spring-loaded mandrel rod 30 is also driven upwardly, the projections 38 on such rod thrusting washer 37 against the lower end of member 34 and thereby expanding such member in the manner shown in FIG. 9. At such time, as above explained, the member 36, which is secured to the upper end of rod 35, is held stationarily, and thus functions as an abutment for the upper end of the member 34.

The expanded member 34 forcibly engages the inner surface of the supply tube 26 thereby forcibly gripping the tube and centering it. The tube is released from the mandrel by operations which are the reverse of those above described. When the mandrel 4 travels from station B so that the cam follower 17 follows downwardly the cam surface 5b, A third disclosed embodiment of the device of the invention is shown in FIGS. l0 and 1l. In such device, the jaws 27 are replaced by a member 40 of elastic material which is fastened to the upper part of the sleeve 19 by means of a ring 39. Expansion of member 40 is performed, in this case, by means of a fluid pressure agent which is fed through a channel 4l in the body 22, the sleeve 19, and the pin 18 into the hollow of sleeve I9 which is connected with member 40. The fluid pressure medi um is delivered through channel 42 in the body 22 and the sleeve 19. Opening and closing of the channels 4l and 42 is effected by the axial displacement of pin 18 with respect to sleeve 19.

The fastening mandrel shown in FIGS. 10 and Il functions as follows: In FIG. l0 such mandrel is shown in the preparatory position B. The supply of the pressure fluid through the channel 41 is closed by shifting the pin 18, while channel 42 is opened upon shifting pin 18, thereby enabling the pressure fluid to escape from the elastic member 40. Upon fastening a supply tube 26 upon the mandrel 4, the cam follower 17 fol lows the cam surface in the direction S and rises along surface 5fof the cam. Upon this movement, pin 18 is pressed upwardly into the sleeve 19 and is moved in such manner that the channel 41 is opened so that pressure fluid can penetrate the elastic member 40. Since, upon movement of pin 18, the channel 4l has been closed, the pressure fluid cannot escape and changes by its pressure the shape of the elastic member 40 so that the supply tube 26 is firmly gripped thereby. The supply tube 26 is released from the mandrel when the pin I8 moves downwardly upon following the cam surface 5a; this opens the channel 42, and simultaneously closes channel 4I, thereby shutting off the emission of pressure fluid` The pressure fluid escapes from channel 42 thereby exhausting the elastic member 40, which then contracts by its own elasticity, thereby releasing the tube 26.

The fourth embodiment of the apparatus, shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, embodies gripping jaws which are a variation of the jaws 27 shown in the embodiment of FIGS. l and 7, inclusive. In such latter embodiment, a supply tube 26 is, in this case, gripped by elongated jaws or levers 46 which are pivotally mounted by pivot pins 42 upon shortened levers 27 which, in the first embodiment, bore the gripping jaws at their outer ends. The levers 46 are gripped by curved springs 44, by means of which said levers 46 are held in the grooves of sleeve 19, such springs 44 replacing the spring 29 employed in the first embodiment. Because the members 46 are elongated in an axial direction, they themselves hold and center the supply tube 26 with sufficient accuracy; as a consequence, it is not necessary to employ a frustoconical portion 24 on the body 22, as in the first-described embodiment.

Since the embodiment of FIGS. l2 and 13 is identical with that of FIGS. l to 7, inclusive, it is not believed necessary to describe its operation. lt can be noted, however, that the upper portion of the body 19 is, in this instance, of generally conical construction, and also that it is axially grooved deeply enough so as to receive both the levers 27 and the jaws 46 when such members are retracted as shown in FlG. 12.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described with reference to a plurality of preferred embodiments thereof, it is understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such a plurality of embodiments but is capable ofnumerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for automatically fastening supply tubes of various diameters in textile machines and for changing such tubes, comprising a rotatable support, a plurality of angularly spaced fastening mandrels on such support, the mandrels each having an axially reciprocable sleeve having a tube-gripping means at one end, a pin mounted within the sleeve for axial transverse with respect thereto, said pin having a portion extending outwardly beyond the outer end of the sleeve, a stationary cam coaxial of the support, cam followers on the outer free ends of the pins cooperating with the cam resilient means constantly thrusting the cam followers against the cam, means responsive to movement of the pin relative to the sleeve for actuating the tube-gripping means, a housing in which the sleeve is reciprocably mounted, a first, weaker compression spring urging the sleeve outwardly of the housing toward the cam, and a second, stronger compression spring acting between the sleeve and the pin.

2. A device for automatically fastening supply tubes of various diameters in textile machines and for changing such tubes, comprising a rotatable support, a plurality of angularly spaced fastening mandrels on such support, the mandrels each having an axially reciprocable sleeve having a tube-gripping means at one end, a pin mounted within the sleeve for axial transverse with respect thereto, said pin having a portion extending outwardly beyond the other end of the sleeve, a stationary cam coaxial ofthe support, cam followers on the outer free ends of the pins cooperating with the cam, resilient means constantly thrusting the cam followers against the cam, means responsive to movement of the pin relative to the sleeve for actuating the tube-gripping means, means for indexing the rotatable support between stations, comprising a fluid pressure actuated cylinder, a piston therein, and intermittent grip mechanism interposed between the piston and the support.

3. A device for automatically fastening supply tubes of various diameters in textile machines and for changing such tubes, comprising a rotatable support, a plurality of angularly spaced fastening mandrels on such support, the mandrels each having an axially reciprocable sleeve having a tube-gripping means at one end, a pin mounted within the sleeve for axial transverse with respect thereto, said pin having a portion extending outwardly beyond the other end of the sleeve, a stationary cam coaxial of the support, cam followers on the outer free ends of the pins cooperating with the cam, resilient means constantly thrusting the cam followers against the cam, means responsive to movement of the pin relative to the sleeve for actuating the tube-gripping means, the gripping mechanism comprising a plurality of angularly spaced jaws mounted on said one end of the sleeve, said jaws being selectively outwardly advanceable and inwardly retractable, the jaws being pivotally mounted upon the sleeve, the sleeve having axially extending grooves which receive the jaws when the latter are retracted, the means for operating the gripping mechanism comprising a rod reciprocable within the sleeve and selectively cooperating with cam surfaces on the jaws to force the jaws outwardly.

4. A device for automatically fastening supply tubes ofvarious diameters in textile machines and for changing such tubes, comprising a rotatable support, a plurality of angularly spaced fastening mandrels on such support, the mandrels each having an axially reciprocable sleeve having a tube-gripping means at one end, a pin mountedl within the sleeve for axial transverse with respect thereto, said pin having a portion extending outwardly beyond the other end of the sleeve, a stationary cam coaxial of the support, cam followers on the outer free ends of the pins cooperating with the cam, resilient means constantly thrusting the cam followers against the cam, means responsive to movement of the pin relative to the sleeve for actuating the tube-gripping means, the tube-gripping means comprising elastic material which is selectively deformable to engage the inner surface ofthe tube.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the gripping means is in the form ofa tubular basket spring, and the means for operating the gripping means comprises means selectively to compress the basket spring axially, whereby to expand it into contact with the innner wall ofthe tube.

6. A device according to claim 4, wherein the gripping means is in the form of an inflatable expansible balloon` and comprising means selectively to supply the balloon with fluid under pressure, the balloon contracting to expel the fluid when it is disconnected from the fluid pressure source.

7. A device according to claim 6, comprising a housing in which the sleeve is reciprocable, and wherein the means for introducing fluid under pressure into the balloon comprises a first channel in the pin, the sleeve, and the housing, and comprising a second channel, in the sleeve and housing, for exhausting fluid from the balloon.

l@ llt lt 

1. A device for automatically fastening supply tubes of various diameters in textile machines and for changing such tubes, comprising a rotatable support, a plurality of angularly spaced fastening mandrels on such support, the mandrels each having an axially reciprocable sleeve having a tube-gripping means at one end, a pin mounted within the sleeve for axial transverse with respect thereto, said pin having a portion extending outwardly beyond the outer end of the sleeve, a stationary cam coaxial of the support, cam followers on the outer free ends of the pins cooperating with the cam resilient means constantly thrusting the cam followers against the cam, means responsive to movement of the pin relative to the sleeve for actuating the tube-gripping means, a housing in which the sleeve is reciprocably mounted, a first, weaker compression spring urging the sleeve outwardly of the housing toward the cam, and a second, stronger compression spring acting between the sleeve and the pin.
 2. A device for automatically fastening supply tubes of various diameters in textile machines and for changing such tubes, comprising a rotatable support, a plurality of angularly spaced fastening mandrels on such support, the mandrels each having an axially reciprocable sleeve having a tube-gripping means at one end, a pin mounted within the sleeve for axial transverse with respect thereto, said pin having a portion extending outwardly beyond the other end of the sleeve, a stationary cam coaxial of the support, cam followers on the outer free ends of the pins cooperating with the cam, resilient means constantly thrusting the cam followers against the cam, means responsive to movement of the pin relative to the sleeve for actuating the tube-gripping means, means for indexing the rotatable support between stations, comprising a fluid pressure actuated cylinder, a piston therein, and intermittent grip mechanism interposed between the piston and the support.
 3. A device for automatically fastening supply tubes of various diameters in textile machines and for changing such tubes, comprising a rotatable support, a plurality of angularly spaced fastening mandrels on such support, the mandrels each having an axially reciprocable sleeve having a tube-gripping means at one end, a pin mounted within the sleeve for axial transverse with respect thereto, said pin having a portion extending outwardly beyond the other end of the sleeve, a stationary cam coaxial of the support, cam followers on the outer free ends of the pins cooperating with the cam, resilient means constantly thrusting the cam followers against the cam, means responsive to movement of the pin relative to the sleeve for actuating the tube-gripping means, the gripping mechanism comprising a plurality of angularly spaced jaws mounted on said one end of the sleeve, said jaws being selectively outwardly advanceable and inwardly retractable, the jaws being pivotally mounted upon the sleeve, the sleeve having axially extending grooves which receive the jaws when the latter are retracted, the means for operating the gripping mechanism comprising a rod reciprocable within the sleeve and selectively cooperating with cam surfaces on the jaws to force the jaws outwardly.
 4. A device for automatically fastening supply tubes of various diameters in textile machines and for changing such tubes, comprising a rotatable support, a plurality of angularly spaced fastening mandrels on such support, the mandrels each having an axially reciprocable sleeve having a tube-gripping means at one end, a pin mounted within the sleeve for axial transverse with respect thereto, said pin having a portion extending outwardly beyond the other end of the sleeve, a stationary cam coaxial of the support, cAm followers on the outer free ends of the pins cooperating with the cam, resilient means constantly thrusting the cam followers against the cam, means responsive to movement of the pin relative to the sleeve for actuating the tube-gripping means, the tube-gripping means comprising elastic material which is selectively deformable to engage the inner surface of the tube.
 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the gripping means is in the form of a tubular basket spring, and the means for operating the gripping means comprises means selectively to compress the basket spring axially, whereby to expand it into contact with the innner wall of the tube.
 6. A device according to claim 4, wherein the gripping means is in the form of an inflatable expansible balloon, and comprising means selectively to supply the balloon with fluid under pressure, the balloon contracting to expel the fluid when it is disconnected from the fluid pressure source.
 7. A device according to claim 6, comprising a housing in which the sleeve is reciprocable, and wherein the means for introducing fluid under pressure into the balloon comprises a first channel in the pin, the sleeve, and the housing, and comprising a second channel, in the sleeve and housing, for exhausting fluid from the balloon. 